General News
23 July, 2026
Last roar! Pride of the Lions
THE gong has been struck for the final time on fellowship and frivolity that was at the heart of East Loddon Lions Club for 45 years.
THE gong has been struck for the final time on fellowship and frivolity that was at the heart of East Loddon Lions Club for 45 years.
Dwindling membership has seen the club return its charter, remaining Lions transferring to the Quambatook club they having been helping in organisation of the annual tractor pull.
Those members were joined by former Lions and leaders of the service club from across the region for one last meeting in Dingee on Sunday.
There was a special presentation by district governor Alison Kazenwadel to Allan and Jo Guthrie - the Melvyn Jones Award which is the highest honour given in Lions - in recognition of their service to the club and community.
The couple have been stalwarts of the club in recent years serving as president and secretary.
In winding up the club, Allan and Jo ensured the Lions legacy would continue in the district,
“We have left funds to East Loddon P12 College to continue annual scholarships for the next five years,” Allan said.
Jo added: “We also made donations to the Dingee Hall committee and progress association as well as Lions charities supporting skin cancer screening and prostate cancer and other groups ... $35,000 in total.”
Terry Watson was a foundation member of East Loddon Lions and later served as president.
“When it was first suggested that we form a club, I thought that would be something worthwhile to be a part of,” he said.
“Some said our district was not big enough to have another organisation but we survived.”
“I enjoyed the fellowship and the work in the community, I was a charter member (in the early 1980s) and stayed on until 1996.”
Terry said a highlight during his years in the club had been hosting French exchange student Robin Havas.
Hedley Mann on Sunday said he had seen East Loddon Lions as his second club.
“I joined Lions in Pyramid Hill 52 years ago, the club only three of four years old at that time,” he said.
It was Pyramid Hill club that sponsored the East Loddon club’s formation. Pyramid Hill surrendered its charter two years ago.
During the lunch, a slide show of activities over the years showed a club that had been active in the community, from working bees to organising Australia Day celebrations. As Terry Watson said: “The club involved young people and old people.”
Another of the club’s legacies will be the junior public speaking competition that East Loddon P12 College is continuing.
The club’s home - the Den in the former Scout Hall across the road from East Loddon P12 - is being cleared of memorabilia that Allan Guthrie says will be stored with the Lions collection amassed from other clubs that have given up their charter.
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action owns the building and is now assessing its future use, he said.
Loddon still has two Lions clubs - Inglewood and Wedderburn - continuing the tradition of service in the community.
Read More: Loddon Shire